THE METRO BOARD

The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church Dedicates A New Sanctuary and Commemorates 100 Years of Service

8/8/2014, 5:11 p.m.

Members of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church

(Atlanta) Members of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church turned out in mass on Saturday, August 2 to march into their new sanctuary. The opening event was held before a standing-room only congregation filled with community leaders, visiting members of the clergy, elected officials from metropolitan Atlanta and friends. This occasion coincides with Greater Piney Grove’s celebration of their 100th Anniversary and kicks off several events throughout the month of August.

Reverend Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr., from Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, DC, delivered the opening-day sermon. On Sunday, August 3, Reverend Michael Benton, Senior Pastor at Fairfield Baptist Church, Decatur, GA opened the worship services at 7:15 a.m. and Senior Pastor William E. Flippin, Sr. preached his initial sermon in the new house of worship at 10:30 to another full-house of worshipers. The church, located on the campus of Greater Piney Grove, is a 7200 square foot facility that is of beautifully and functionally appointed to serve its membership of 5000. The sanctuary seats 1400 people and includes a 100 choir loft. Proclaiming that 2014 is the year to walk into their destiny, Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church reflected on its founding in 1914.

American Bridge Association brings Annual Tournament to Atlanta

Thousands of enthusiastic bridge players are in town for the 2014 81st Summer National Tournament at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia at the Perimeter. The tournament runs from July 31 – Aug. 9. The organization was founded in 1933. The organization’s headquarters is in Atlanta. For more information about ABA see the web version of Metro.

ATLANTA – SunTrust Banks has announced that Susan Somersille Johnson will join the company as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, effective Aug. 11. She will oversee the company’s brand strategy and marketing operations, reporting to CEO William H. Rogers, Jr. Johnson was most recently vice president of Global Marketing for NCR Corporation, and previously served as global head of Customer Marketing for Nokia

School Supplies Giveaway in Clayton County Sunday

On Sunday, Aug. 10, Ward IV Councilman Charles Phillips hosts his back-to-school celebration at Phillips Park, located at 4400 Herschel Road in College Park (30337). The event will be held from 4:00p - 7:00p for residents of Ward IV. Activities will include a bouncy house, the Ice Cream King, hot dogs, chips, juice boxes and book bags for those in attendance, as well as the opportunity to meet & greet Councilman Phillips.

Mayor Kasim Reed Names Director of Communications

ATLANTA – Mayor Kasim Reed this week announced the appointment of Anne Torres as Director of Communications. In her position, Torres will be responsible for the long term planning and oversight of the Mayor’s communications strategy and will work closely with the Mayor and top Administration officials as the senior media relations advisor. Torres previously served as Deputy Communications Director since 2012, where she oversaw the expansion of the city’s social media presence and provided counsel on the Administration’s efforts to engage the city’s growing tech and startup community to enhance government services and foster greater civic engagement and collaboration.

Publix launches Tools for Back-to-School Campaign

Publix Super Markets offers the Tools for Back-to-School campaign from Thursday, July 24 through Wednesday, Aug. 13. Customers and associates are encouraged to stop by their neighborhood Publix to donate $5, $7 or $10, which will be used to purchase much needed school supplies for local teachers, students and non-profit organizations.

More than 1,000 Publix stores will have a Tools for Back-to=School display near the registers. The display will include tear-off tickets valued at $5, $7 and $10. Customers may tear off a ticket and give it to the cashier when they check out. The amount on the ticket will be added to their grocery order. Customers who donate will receive a specially designed reusable bag. The school supplies will be shipped in bulk to non-profit organizations and schools. Items donated will include notebooks, crayons, color pencils, markers, #2 pencils, notebook paper, folders, scissors, and glue.

For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.